HormonesMelatonin

Short-term intake of Montmorency tart cherry juice improves sleep quality in elite female field hockey players after intermittent exhaustion exercise

A randomized controlled trial with 19 elite female field hockey players found that short-term consumption of tart cherry juice over 48 hours significantly improved sleep quality variables, including total time in bed (TTB, p=0.015), wake after sleep onset (WASO, p=0.044), and movement index (MI, p=0.031), compared to a placebo. However, no significant changes were observed in melatonin or cortisol levels.

Last updated: Aug 26, 2026•1 RCTs•📖 Read as article →

Evidence Score

Evidence Score42/100
Human RCT★★☆☆☆
Meta-analysis☆☆☆☆☆
Mechanism★★★★★
Safety★★★★☆
Confidencelow

Study Evidence

Study 1. Effects of Short-Term Intake of Montmorency Tart Cherry Juice on Sleep Quality after Intermittent Exercise in Elite Female Field Hockey Players: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

observational

Chung J, Choi M, Lee K · International journal of environmental research and public health (2022)

Participants: N/A
Duration: 5 days (intervention over 48 hours)
Intervention: Montmorency tart cherry juice consumed five times over 48 hours after intermittent exhaustion exercise
Outcome: Sleep quality (total time in bed, wake after sleep onset, movement index) and hormone levels (melatonin, cortisol)
Effect Size: N/A
Population: Elite female field hockey players (n=19)

Result:

PubMed: 36011907DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191610272

Mechanism Graph

Tart cherry juice is consumed after intermittent exhaustion exercise
↓
Bioactive compounds in tart cherry juice (e.g., melatonin precursors, anti-inflammatory agents) are absorbed
↓
Sleep quality metrics (TTB, WASO, MI) improve, possibly via non-hormonal pathways
↓
Result: Improved sleep quality without significant changes in melatonin or cortisol levels

Limitations

  • ⚠Small sample size (n=19) limits generalizability
  • ⚠No significant changes in melatonin or cortisol, leaving mechanism unclear
  • ⚠Short intervention duration (48 hours) may not reflect long-term effects

Frequently Asked Questions

Does tart cherry juice improve sleep quality in athletes?▼

Yes, this study found that short-term intake of Montmorency tart cherry juice improved sleep quality metrics like total time in bed and wake after sleep onset in elite female field hockey players after exercise.

How does tart cherry juice affect melatonin and cortisol levels?▼

In this study, tart cherry juice did not significantly change melatonin or cortisol levels compared to placebo, suggesting the sleep benefits may occur through other mechanisms.

What sleep variables improved with tart cherry juice?▼

Significant improvements were seen in total time in bed (TTB), wake after sleep onset (WASO), and movement index (MI).

Was this study a randomized controlled trial?▼

Yes, it was a double-blind randomized controlled trial with 19 elite female field hockey players.

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References

  1. 1.Chung J, Choi M, Lee K. "Effects of Short-Term Intake of Montmorency Tart Cherry Juice on Sleep Quality after Intermittent Exercise in Elite Female Field Hockey Players: A Randomized Controlled Trial.." International journal of environmental research and public health, 2022. PMID: 36011907 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191610272
Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Evidence scores reflect the quality and quantity of available research, not clinical recommendations. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement or intervention.